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| King Tyren Fukunaga-Camba and Queen Tristah Amps Nurial-Dacalio at last night's Trojan homecoming coronation with members of their court, Freshman Princess Alexia Tudela and her escort Isaiah Naboa, Sophmore Princess Arjhell Salmo-Grace and her escort Jacob Flores, Junior Princess Staeci Breithaupt-Castaneda and her escort Treison Pascubillo, and Senior Princess Sky Kanakaole-Esperon and her escort Kaweni Ibarra. Photo by Tanya Ibarra |
HAWAI`I ELECTRIC LIGHT CO. AND OTHER Hawaiian Electric Companies customers’ bills are at a four-year low due to lower fuel prices, the companies report.
“We are happy to pass these savings straight through to our customers,” said Jim Alberts, Hawaiian Electric senior vice president of customer service. “At the same time, we’ve seen oil prices drop before, only to rise again. Today’s lower oil prices must not distract us from reducing our dependency on imported oil.
“We remain committed to reaching our goal of getting 65 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030,” he said.
HECO said it also continues working to reduce costs to customers through efficiency improvements and by pursuing cleaner, low-cost natural gas to replace oil while continuing to increase use of renewable energy.
Hawai`i Island’s residential effective rate is 33.8 cents per kilowatt-hour, and a 600 kWh bill is $214.71. That is $12.49 lower than last month and the lowest since Oct. 2010.
On O`ahu, the residential effective rate is 27.9 cents per kWh. A typical 600 kWh bill is $177.45, a decrease of $9.77 since last month, and the lowest since March 2011.
Maui’s effective rate is 31.5 cents per kWh and a typical 600 kWh bill is $198.78, $21.46 lower than last month and the lowest since February 2011.
KA`U RESIDENTS ARE INVITED to participate in a vog focus group Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Pahala Library. Host Claire Horwell, director of the International Volcanic Health Hazard Network, is studying how people cope with volcanic emissions. To sign up, see https://www.facebook.com/groups/421925067973152/ or call 808-967-8809.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
Hawai`i Island’s residential effective rate is 33.8 cents per kilowatt-hour, and a 600 kWh bill is $214.71. That is $12.49 lower than last month and the lowest since Oct. 2010.
On O`ahu, the residential effective rate is 27.9 cents per kWh. A typical 600 kWh bill is $177.45, a decrease of $9.77 since last month, and the lowest since March 2011.
Maui’s effective rate is 31.5 cents per kWh and a typical 600 kWh bill is $198.78, $21.46 lower than last month and the lowest since February 2011.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Senior Princess Sky Kanakaole-Esperon and escort Kaweni Ibarra Photo from Carla Andrade |
HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND coastal cleanup manager for Ka`u recommends that people listen up regarding a new study on the amount of plastic being dumped in the ocean. Megan Lamson shares an Associated Press report entitled World Dumps 8.8 Million Tons of Plastics into Oceans.
“That’s the equivalent of five grocery bags full of plastic debris dotting each foot of coastline around the world,” lead author Jenna Jambeck, an environment engineering professor at the University of Georgia, told AP science writer Seth Borenstein.
According to Jambeck, the largest polluters are developing Asian countries that aren’t managing their waste streams properly. Jambeck projected that by 2025 the total accumulated plastic trash in the oceans will reach around 170 million tons based on population trends and continued waste management disposal problems.
According to Jambeck, the largest polluters are developing Asian countries that aren’t managing their waste streams properly. Jambeck projected that by 2025 the total accumulated plastic trash in the oceans will reach around 170 million tons based on population trends and continued waste management disposal problems.
Five countries – China, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and Sri Lanka – create more than half of the world’s marine debris. The U.S. is number 20 on a list of industrialized western countries that are plastic polluters.
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| Junior princess and esort are Staeci Breithaupt-Castaneda and Treison Pascubillo. Photo from Carla Andrade |
Borenstein said that, according to researchers, the U.S. and Europe are not mismanaging their collected waste, and their plastic trash is due to litter.
While China is responsible for 2.4 million tons of plastic marine debris, the U.S. contributes 77,000 tons, according to the study published in the journal Science.
This is mostly because developed countries have systems to trap and collect plastic waste, Jambeck said.
“The amount of plastics estimated going into the water is equal to how much tuna is fished each year, so “we are taking out tuna and putting in plastic,” said study co-author Kara Lavendar Law.
Nancy Wallace, who is head of the marine debris program for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said plastic waste in the water is a crucial worldwide issue because it is eaten by sea life, and it collects ocean toxins. There’s also a clean-up cost, and it affects tourism, she said.
Previous estimates of plastic marine debris, based on samples, were less than one million tons.
While China is responsible for 2.4 million tons of plastic marine debris, the U.S. contributes 77,000 tons, according to the study published in the journal Science.
This is mostly because developed countries have systems to trap and collect plastic waste, Jambeck said.
“The amount of plastics estimated going into the water is equal to how much tuna is fished each year, so “we are taking out tuna and putting in plastic,” said study co-author Kara Lavendar Law.
Nancy Wallace, who is head of the marine debris program for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said plastic waste in the water is a crucial worldwide issue because it is eaten by sea life, and it collects ocean toxins. There’s also a clean-up cost, and it affects tourism, she said.
Previous estimates of plastic marine debris, based on samples, were less than one million tons.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
HAWAI`I ISLAND POLICE ARE SEARCHING for a 38-year-old Ka`u man who is wanted for abuse.
Benjamin Acasio, of Na`alehu, is described as six-foot-two-inches tall, about 180 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen driving a red Acura two-door sedan with white rims.
Police ask anyone with information on his whereabouts to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311.
Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn't record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.
Police ask anyone with information on his whereabouts to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311.
Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn't record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Sophomore Princess Arjhell Salmo Grace and her escort Jacob Flores. Photo from Carla Andrade |
SEN. MAZIE HIRONO HAS BEEN NAMED Ranking Member on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hirono will also serve on Energy and Public Lands Subcommittees.
“Hardworking middle class families, farmers and small business deserve affordable energy and abundant clean water supplies,” Hirono said. “I look forward to working with Sen. Mike Lee, the subcommittee’s new Chairman, to find bipartisan solutions to meet the needs of a growing sustainable economy in Hawai`i and across the country. In addition to my new leadership role on the Water and Power Subcommittee, I look forward to working with all of my committee colleagues to work on many issues important to Hawai`i, including transitioning to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future and building on the tradition of conservation that has gone hand in hand with our economic growth for generations.”
The Subcommittee on Water and Power is responsible for overseeing programs related to irrigation and reclamation projects, including related flood control purposes; power marketing administrations; energy development impacts on water resources; groundwater resources and management; hydroelectric power; low head hydro; and energy-related aspects of deepwater ports.
Earlier this year, Hirono was also named the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee’s Subcommittee on Seapower, placing her in a position to oversee matters directly relating to the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps.
Earlier this year, Hirono was also named the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee’s Subcommittee on Seapower, placing her in a position to oversee matters directly relating to the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
THE ANNUAL HOMECOMING CELEBRATION this year at Ka`u High School is centered around tonight’s home basketball game against the St. Joseph Cardinals at 6 p.m. The homecoming coronation filled the school gym last night. This year’s king and queen are Tyren Fukunaga-Camba and Trystah Amps Nurial-Dacalio. Senior princess and escort are Sky Kanakaole-Esperon and Kaweni Ibarra. Junior princess and escort are Staeci Breithaupt-Castaneda and Treison Pascubillo. Sophomore princess and escort are Arjhell Salmo-Grace and Jacob Flores. Freshman princess and escort are Alexia Tudela and Isaiah Naboa.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Isaiah Naboa escorts Freshman Princess Alexia Tudela. Photo from Carla Andrade |
VALENTINE’S DAY IS ON THE MENU at local venues.
Kilauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park offers a buffet tomorrow from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. featuring prime rib, chicken piccata, shrimp and mushroom alfredo. Price is $27.95 adults and $14.50 for children 6 – 11. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Call 967-8356 for more information.
Hana Hou Restaurant in Na`alehu invites diners for prime rib, seafood platter, fresh fish or Cupid’s Combo tomorrow. Uncle Earnest Kalani entertains from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Cupid’s Combo and fresh fish are also available tonight, with music by Keoki Kahumoku. Call 929-9717 for reservations.
South Side Shaka’s, also in Na`alehu, features prime rib and snow crab tomorrow evening. Call 929-7404 for reservations.
Open tonight and tomorrow night from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Gilligan’s Café in Discovery Harbour offers its regular menu. Tiger and Bob provide entertainment tonight, and the Lucky Lizardz play tomorrow night.
TO CELEBRATE PRESIDENTS DAY WEEKEND, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park waives entry fees tomorrow through Monday. Some of the many activities Ka`u residents can enjoy are exploring more than 150 miles of trails, taking part in ranger-led programs and dining at Volcano House.
Hana Hou Restaurant in Na`alehu invites diners for prime rib, seafood platter, fresh fish or Cupid’s Combo tomorrow. Uncle Earnest Kalani entertains from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Cupid’s Combo and fresh fish are also available tonight, with music by Keoki Kahumoku. Call 929-9717 for reservations.
South Side Shaka’s, also in Na`alehu, features prime rib and snow crab tomorrow evening. Call 929-7404 for reservations.
Open tonight and tomorrow night from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Gilligan’s Café in Discovery Harbour offers its regular menu. Tiger and Bob provide entertainment tonight, and the Lucky Lizardz play tomorrow night.
TO CELEBRATE PRESIDENTS DAY WEEKEND, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park waives entry fees tomorrow through Monday. Some of the many activities Ka`u residents can enjoy are exploring more than 150 miles of trails, taking part in ranger-led programs and dining at Volcano House.
KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park invites the public to see how it supports America’s troops by utilizing any of its facilities and services tomorrow through Monday.
OVER & UNDER: MORE OF HIS NATURE closes Sunday. The exhibit at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park features original paintings by John Dawson. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
KA`U RESIDENTS ARE INVITED to participate in a vog focus group Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Pahala Library. Host Claire Horwell, director of the International Volcanic Health Hazard Network, is studying how people cope with volcanic emissions. To sign up, see https://www.facebook.com/groups/421925067973152/ or call 808-967-8809.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
